Latest news with #CambridgeforPalestine
Western Telegraph
20-05-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Cambridge college to cut ties with arms companies following student protests
King's College said on Tuesday that its governing body has voted to 'adopt a new responsible investment policy' to align with the values of its community. It comes after pro-Palestine protesters staged demonstrations and set up encampments against the war in Gaza at Cambridge University last year. Student-led group Cambridge for Palestine has been calling on the university to divest from companies 'complicit in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine'. Under the new policy, King's College's financial investments will exclude companies that are involved in activities 'generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation'. It will also exclude companies which produce military and nuclear weapons, weapons restricted by international treaty, or companies that produce key or dedicated components of such weapons. The policy builds on discussions about the relationship between the college's investments and its values, which were 'prompted by the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories'. Gillian Tett, provost of King's College, said: 'This is a positive result from a process that engaged voices from all areas of our community. 'I commend the members of the working group for their incredibly thoughtful engagement and deep commitment to work towards an approach that reflects the College's values and demonstrates our capacity to model transformation.' King's College said the next steps will be to implement the changes across the college's investment portfolio in the coming months, with an aim to complete no later than the end of the calendar year. Student activist group King's Cambridge 4 Palestine (KC4P) said: 'King's College's decision must trigger global condemnation of Israel's actions against the Palestinian people.' Stella Swain, youth and student officer at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: 'This is a massive victory, and speaks to the incredible power and commitment of student campaigning, at King's College and across the country. 'If King's College, at the heart of Cambridge, can finally listen to its students and divest from the arms industry and companies complicit in the illegal occupation of Palestine, then every university can act to ensure they are on the right side of history.'
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Cambridge college to cut ties with arms companies following student protests
King's College said on Tuesday that its governing body has voted to 'adopt a new responsible investment policy' to align with the values of its community. It comes after pro-Palestine protesters staged demonstrations and set up encampments against the war in Gaza at Cambridge University last year. Student-led group Cambridge for Palestine has been calling on the university to divest from companies 'complicit in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine'. Under the new policy, King's College's financial investments will exclude companies that are involved in activities 'generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation'. It will also exclude companies which produce military and nuclear weapons, weapons restricted by international treaty, or companies that produce key or dedicated components of such weapons. The policy builds on discussions about the relationship between the college's investments and its values, which were 'prompted by the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories'. Gillian Tett, provost of King's College, said: 'This is a positive result from a process that engaged voices from all areas of our community. 'I commend the members of the working group for their incredibly thoughtful engagement and deep commitment to work towards an approach that reflects the College's values and demonstrates our capacity to model transformation.' King's College said the next steps will be to implement the changes across the college's investment portfolio in the coming months, with an aim to complete no later than the end of the calendar year. Student activist group King's Cambridge 4 Palestine (KC4P) said: 'King's College's decision must trigger global condemnation of Israel's actions against the Palestinian people.' Stella Swain, youth and student officer at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, said: 'This is a massive victory, and speaks to the incredible power and commitment of student campaigning, at King's College and across the country. 'If King's College, at the heart of Cambridge, can finally listen to its students and divest from the arms industry and companies complicit in the illegal occupation of Palestine, then every university can act to ensure they are on the right side of history.'
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
University granted four-month protest injunction
The University of Cambridge has been granted a High Court order blocking Israel-Palestine protests on parts of its campus until the end of July. Last month, a judge dismissed a request by the university for a five-year injunction blocking direct action related to the conflict on several sites without the university's consent. On Wednesday the university returned to the High Court to apply for a four-month order preventing protesters from disrupting multiple graduation events. Mr Justice Soole granted the injunction on Friday, stating there was an "imminent and real risk of a recurrence" of direct action on the campus and a "strong probability that this will otherwise occur" if the order was not issued. "I am satisfied that there is a compelling need for the granting of an injunction," he said. He added the "proposed terms are the minimum necessary in the circumstances" and the injunction "does provide a fair balance between the rights of all parties". The injunction prevents protesters from disrupting graduation events up to 26 July, the final ceremony of the academic year. Myriam Stacey KC, for the university, told the hearing protesters seemed to be mostly affiliated with the group Cambridge for Palestine. A spokesperson for the university said it welcomed the High Court's decision and it would "safeguard" its site from occupation and therefore the graduation ceremonies, while protecting the right for staff to work. They added the action "was never about preventing lawful protest". The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) opposed the university's bid, with its lawyers telling the court the injunction was a "disproportionate infringement" on the human rights of the protesters and would set a "dangerous precedent" for protesting on campuses. Cambridge for Palestine said it "condemns" the decision, which it described as "a violent move to criminalise and police our movement". Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. University seeks four-month protest injunction Protesters barred from disrupting degree ceremony University condemns Palestine Action paint protest Students occupy building in Gaza war protest Students occupy building in Gaza war protest
BBC News
22-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
University of Cambridge granted four-month protest injunction
The University of Cambridge has been granted a High Court order blocking Israel-Palestine protests on parts of its campus until the end of month, a judge dismissed a request by the university for a five-year injunction blocking direct action related to the conflict on several sites without the university's Wednesday the university returned to the High Court to apply for a four-month order preventing protesters from disrupting multiple graduation Justice Soole granted the injunction on Friday, stating there was an "imminent and real risk of a recurrence" of direct action on the campus and a "strong probability that this will otherwise occur" if the order was not issued. "I am satisfied that there is a compelling need for the granting of an injunction," he added the "proposed terms are the minimum necessary in the circumstances" and the injunction "does provide a fair balance between the rights of all parties".The injunction prevents protesters from disrupting graduation events up to 26 July, the final ceremony of the academic year. Myriam Stacey KC, for the university, told the hearing protesters seemed to be mostly affiliated with the group Cambridge for Palestine. A spokesperson for the university said it welcomed the High Court's decision and it would "safeguard" its site from occupation and therefore the graduation ceremonies, while protecting the right for staff to added the action "was never about preventing lawful protest".The European Legal Support Center (ELSC) opposed the university's bid, with its lawyers telling the court the injunction was a "disproportionate infringement" on the human rights of the protesters and would set a "dangerous precedent" for protesting on for Palestine said it "condemns" the decision, which it described as "a violent move to criminalise and police our movement". Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
University fails in five-year bid to block Israel-Palestine protests
The University Of Cambridge has lost its bid for a five-year court order blocking Israel-Palestine related protests on some of its campus sites. The university sought the court order due to previous protest disruptions, particularly by the group Cambridge for Palestine. The judge granted a limited, interim injunction specifically blocking protests in the Senate House and Yard during a graduation ceremony on Saturday. The judge criticised the university's application, saying it had given insufficient notice to potential stakeholders and had not painted a complete picture of past graduations. This decision is considered a victory for freedom of assembly and protest on university campuses.
